Just a few hundred kilometers from Mt. Everest, Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, sits in the center of the Tibetan Plateau. Surrounded by mountains and capped by the bluest, clearest sky in all of China, Lhasa provides an experience like no other city can.
Lhasa's most significant period began with the rise of the fifth Dali Lama, Lobsang Gyatso, who established his political and religious capital in Lhasa, and began the reconstruction of the Potala Palace, winter home of all subsequent Dalai Lamas.
The streets and ancient buildings of old Lhasa form a living museum, alive with pilgrims proceeding towards Lhasa's many holy sites, often spinning prayer wheels and praying every few steps. One of the most rewarding experiences in the city is to simply wander around the older sections, passing markets, temples and monasteries and watching the people. Lhasa has a unique atmosphere unmatched both in China and the World.
The area surrounding Lhasa has no shortage of natural beauty, with mountains, lakes, rivers and glaciers near enough for short trips of a day or two. For the more adventurous, excursions to Everest Base Camp can be organized from Lhasa, and even overland journeys to India or Nepal, via the Friendship Highway, though these trips are highly seasonal.
Tibet is often depicted as a place of mystery and mysticism, especially in popular culture, and this serves to give Lhasa a unique atmosphere and distinctive feeling, setting it apart from other cities. As a major Buddhist holy city, there are numerous temples and religious and cultura